CBD is becoming popular as an alternative to traditional treatments. If you suffer from side effects from over-the-counter medication, you could give these products a try – as an all-natural way of soothing your aches and pains. Organic CBD comes with a long list of health benefits and is perfectly safe to use due to its pure ingredients and non-psychoactive qualities. If you’re thinking about trying CBD products, read on to find out more about whether they’re safe, and how you could benefit.
What is CBD?
CBD is derived from the cannabis plant and is used as an all-natural alternative to some over-the-counter treatments. Although it comes from the cannabis plant, it should not be confused with its counterpart THC, which is the chemical that causes the ‘high’ feeling associated with cannabis as a drug – you won’t experience this with CBD. When it is extracted, it is often mixed with another natural substance, like coconut oil or olive oil so that it can be taken orally, as an oil or in the form of a capsule. There are many products on the market that are infused with CBD, so there is likely to be something suitable for everyone.
How does it work?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid systems within our body. These systems are made up of tiny receptors, and when CBD interacts with them, it can alter the way our body feels and responds to pain. It can create an anti-inflammatory response in the systems around our body so that we can benefit from natural pain relief. It can also have an impact on the serotonin production in our brain, which is the chemical that is released and causes us to feel happy. Having a lack of serotonin production means we may feel sad, or anxious – CBD can help to balance these feelings.
In general, CBD balances out various anomalies throughout the systems in our body, for example, the production of serotonin, as well as influencing cortisol, the stress hormone, too much of which can lead to racing thoughts as well physical symptoms. Below, we’ll look in more detail at the health benefits CBD has to offer.
Is CBD Safe?
It is easy to see why people may think that CBD is not safe because it comes from the cannabis plant – but this is not true. CBD products are taking the health and wellbeing market by storm due to the long list of benefits that come with them and for good reason. CBD is safe for everyone to take, as it does not contain THC, it is non-psychoactive, so you won’t feel any kind of mind-altering side effect!
Rules and regulations
If you decide to give CBD a go, you can do this with peace of mind. All CBD brands are governed by strict guidelines that must be met to ensure customers are getting a safe, high-quality product. They are rigorously tested before they make it to the market. When buying CBD products you should do some research first – look for ingredients on the packaging, and make sure there are lab reports to view online. We can all use CBD products to boost our general health and treat various conditions – but choosing the right brand is vital.
What are the benefits?
As previously mentioned, CBD comes with a range of benefits for all of us, a few of these include:
- Anti-inflammatory effects: If you suffer from chronic pain caused by illnesses like arthritis, or internal issues like IBS, you can use CBD as a way of controlling the pain and easing your discomfort. Because it is all-natural, it is perfect for anyone that cannot take traditional over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.
- Skin conditions: You can use CBD products to treat any painful skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis. CBD-infused creams can promote the regeneration of skin cells, so problem patches of skin can heal, and feel smoother. The anti-inflammatory properties mean that you can reduce redness and any pain. The continued use of CBD on these conditions could mean that your skin becomes clear, soft, and glowing.
- Anxiety and stress: If you suffer from anxiety day-to-day, or you need some relief from stress, CBD can be a great help. These products can help ease racing thoughts and feelings of low mood, by boosting serotonin levels so you can feel a sense of calm, and serenity when you need it most. Not only can it help with the mental symptoms, but physical too from sweating to shaking and headaches.
- Promotes good sleep: We all know how difficult it is to function when you’ve had a terrible sleep. If you can relate to this, you can use CBD to help you drift off naturally – it can relax your body and calm your mind.
What type of products are available?
If you’ve considered all that CBD can offer you and you’re happy that it is safe to use, you’ll need to decide what type of product is most suited to you. You could choose from CBD oil, which is arguably the most popular, to be used orally, or added to food and drink. Or, if you’d rather use something topically, you could choose creams or lotions to apply directly to any problem areas. When it comes to making sure you’re getting a consistent dose, a capsule could be the best for you – premeasured and easy to implement into your daily routine.